Its not the only painted wooden kayak, although they are a rare breed. I have seen a painted kayak. The finish was of a very high quality (it looked like new fiberglass ) and was beautiful. My own boat is varnished but I can forsee a future date when I am to old or lazy to varnish and the epoxy has turned milky from too much sun and too little UV inhibitors in the varnish. At that point I may paint my boat.